The renovation of Gallatin Hall at Harvard Business School has received LEED-NC Gold certification from the US Green Building Council. It is the second residence hall and the fifth building at HBS to achieve LEED certification.
The renovation achieved a 98 percent recycling rate for construction waste management, diverting over 1,500 tons from entering landfills through salvage and recycling. As the project’s energy audit reveals, the renovation has reduced nearly 700 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to over 6 billion BTUs of energy or 1,000 barrels of oil. Low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce domestic water use by nearly 30 percent compared to a standard building. Energy systems are tied back to a central computer so that Operations can use system scheduling to maximize efficiencies, while window sensors detects when windows are open and set back room temperatures accordingly. An interactive green touchscreen adjacent to the main lounge monitors electricity, heating hot water, domestic water, and chilled water, educating residents on the building’s green features.
The renovation of the McKim, Mead, and White building is a central element of Harvard Business School’s update and expansion of on-campus student housing alternatives. The Gallatin Hall renovation was completed in August 2008.
